Cancer Survivor and War Veteran to Run Boston Marathon

Clarence Hartley has lived a full life. He is 81-years old and has fought in both the Korean and Vietnam wars as a member of the United States Air Force and served in the military for 24 years. He also fought and overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a form of cancer, and later, battled prostate cancer.

Hartley has a passion for running and when he was originally diagnosed, he thought of the obstacles that Lance Armstrong overcame for inspiration to keep going. Surprisingly, he didn’t start running until he was retired, and ran his first race at the age of 68. This year, at 81-years old, Hartley was the oldest entrant into the Boston Marathon. Hartley’s desire for running shows us all that you should never give up on your fitness goals.

No matter what your age or current fitness level, it is possible to reach your goals if you work hard. A great place to start is with a running program. If you are a beginner and have no running experience, remember to start slow. Try alternating between running and walking each workout to build your stamina. The running periods will get your body used to this new form of exercise and the walking periods will of course be less strenuous, but you still want to keep a brisk pace. As you progress, the amount of time you spend running should increase and your walking time should decrease. You will be running through the entire workout before too long.

Another important thing to remember for runners who are just getting started is to remain consistent. You may encounter some obstacles, but if you are trying to become a true runner, you’ll have to stick with it. Schedule your workouts on a calendar and cross them off as you complete them. If you are running during the work day, block out that time so that no meetings or other activities interfere with your workout. If you have family obligations that frequently come up, talk with your family about the importance of your running workouts. You might also consider running while family members are asleep early in the morning. Using these tips to clear your schedule for your workouts will help you remain consistent.

Clarence Hartley has proven that when you want to do something good for your body, age doesn’t have to be a hindrance. No matter when you get started, it is possible to make a difference in your health.

The information provided within this site is strictly for the purposes of information only and is not a replacement or substitute for professional advice, doctors visit or treatment. The provided content on this site should serve, at most, as a companion to a professional consult. It should under no circumstance replace the advice of your primary care provider. You should always consult your primary care physician prior to starting any new fitness, nutrition or weight loss regime.